Method of planting triploid seedless watermelon seeds and enhanced watermelon pollenizer seeds for producing watermelon transplants

ABSTRACT

A method of sowing watermelon seeds is provided, specifically a method for sowing triploid seedless watermelon seeds and enhanced watermelon pollenizer seeds in the same seedling tray through the use of a mechanical seeder.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/163,921, filed Mar. 27, 2009. The application is incorporated hereinby reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is in the field of seedless watermelon production,specifically relating to the planting of enhanced watermelon pollenizersin close proximity to triploid watermelon plants for the production ofseedless watermelons.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Watermelon is an important specialty crop that is common in all majoragriculture production areas and accounts for 2% of the world areadevoted to vegetable crops. There were 3,743,497 of hectares ofwatermelon grown in the world and 55,200 hectares of watermelons grownin the United States in 2006. Asia is by far the most importantwatermelon production site with nearly ⅔ of the world area and slightlyover ⅔ of the world production (United Nations, Food and AgricultureOrganization, FAOStat (2/2008)). There were 64,840 hectares ofwatermelon planted in the USA with a total production of 42,869,000 cwtand farm value of $476,209,000 in 2007 (USDA, NASS, Vegetables AnnualSummary (1950-81 and 1992-2007)). California was the leading state inwatermelon farm gate value, exceeded $72 million in 2000, due to highpercentage of triploid seedless watermelon grown in California. Seedlesswatermelon receives well above the average price for seeded watermelonsin the market. Triploid seedless watermelon also produces higher yieldsthan the diploid seeded watermelons. The significantly increasedwatermelon productivity and farm value, as well as decreased productionacreage, in the USA since the mid-1990s are the result of using triploidseedless watermelon varieties in commercial production.

As with many different plants, watermelon contains a fruit part and aplant part. Each part contains different traits that are desired byconsumers and/or growers, including such traits as flavor, texture,disease resistance, and appearance traits such as shape and color. Theseedless trait in the watermelon fruit is highly desired by consumers.For production of seedless watermelon, optimum pollinationcharacteristics of the pollenizing plant are desired.

Seedless watermelon plants are triploid and must be pollinated by thepollen of seeded watermelon plants. To provide adequate pollenization ofseedless watermelon plants, the recent practice has been to plantpollenizer plants over approximately 25-33% of the field surface. Theremaining portion of the field is planted with the triploid seedlesswatermelon plants. Thus, to maximize the value of the crop in the field,growers used high yield marketable diploid watermelon varieties aspollenizers. These pollenizers ultimately competed with the triploidseedless varieties for sun, nutrients, space, and are also moresusceptible to foliar diseases. Diploid seeded varieties mature earlierthan triploid seedless varieties, thus requiring harvesting prior to theseedless varieties reaching maturity.

However, the seedless watermelon industry went through a revolutionarychange in production practices in 2001 when Syngenta Seeds, Inc.released its enhanced diploid non-harvestable watermelon pollenizer,referred to as “Super Pollenizer”, or SP-1. This enhanced watermelonpollenizer is protected by U.S. Pat. No. 6,759,576. (See also U.S. Pat.No. 7,071,374.) This innovative variety employed a novel diploid,non-competitive watermelon plant to improve upon current methods ofcommercial production of seedless watermelons, increasing the number oftriploid seedless plants per acre and thereby increasing seedlesswatermelon yields per acre. Since that time, other enhanced watermelonpollenizers have come into the market place.

Enhanced watermelon pollenizers like SP-1 have small leaves that allowthe pollenizer to be grown in close proximity to the triploid seedlesswatermelon plants without competing with them, thereby increasingseedless plant populations and yields of seedless fruits. The enhancedwatermelon pollenizer has leaves that take up less field area than thesubstantially larger leaves of the pollenizers used in the past forproduction of seedless watermelon. Thus, as it is less competitive forlight, water and fertilizers, enhanced watermelon pollenizers are growncloser to the triploid watermelon plants, and do not need dedicatedspace to grow. When enhanced pollenizers are used, the triploid seedlesswatermelon plants are typically grown in solid rows at a standardspacing, the enhanced watermelon pollenizer being then inter-plantedbetween the plants within the rows. The result is a significantly highernumber of triploid watermelon plants per acre compared to the number oftriploid watermelon plants that has traditionally been planted, andhigher yields of seedless fruits.

Due to germination issues with triploid watermelon seeds, triploidwatermelon plants are normally sold as young plants and not as seeds.Because of this, enhanced watermelon pollenizers are often sold astransplants along with the triploid watermelon plants. As an example,Syngenta sells transplants through a transplant business that providesthe enhanced watermelon pollenizer SP-1 along with a triploid seedlesswatermelon variety, both in the form of transplants, or so-called youngplants.

The watermelon transplants are produced by commercial vegetablegreenhouses located in the regional watermelon production areas to allowfor delivery to the grower's field. The commercial greenhouses obtainseed either from growers or suppliers. These transplant producers growthe young plants to meet specific transplanting dates in the field.

Watermelon plants are produced in 30 to 50 cm³ “cell” trays containing asoilless soil mix of 50 to 65% high grade peat and 35 to 50%horticultural vermiculite or horticultural perlite. Some common traysused in watermelon transplanting range from 98, 128, 200 and 242 cellsper tray and are composed of various materials such as hard Styrofoam,hard plastic or flexible plastic materials.

Watermelons are placed one seed per cell and sown about 2-cm deep. Theplanting media is generally pre-watered lightly prior to seeding tobring the seed and mix in contact. Trays are then placed undercontrolled humidity and temperature for 24-48 hours by covering andplacing in a germination chamber at 30-35 C. The trays are then arrangedon benches in a greenhouse with day temperature 21-27 C and nighttemperature 18-21 C where temperature control can be achieved.

Plants are grown in the greenhouses and ready for transplanting when theroots are sufficiently developed to permit removal from the cell withthe entire growing mix volume intact. This will generally require fourto six weeks from sowing or seeding, depending on cell size, light andtemperature conditions.

Current seeding methods include semi-automated equipment and hand sowingtechniques. The largest percentage of commercial watermelon transplantproducers use mechanical seeders that are typically based on vacuumtechnology for precision placement of the seed in the tray cells. Theautomated process involves filling the trays with planting media whichis then moved under a “punch or dibble” allowing for the proper depthand insures positioning of the seed in the center of the cell.

There are a number of manufacturers, styles and engineering designs ofcommercial semi-automated seeders used in the industry. These seedersutilize different technologies, such as air vacuum to pick up the seedand releasing the seed into the tray cell by releasing the seed by airor water pressure.

The current commercial method and process for delivering transplants towatermelon growers includes that the triploid seedless watermelon seedsand the enhanced watermelon pollenizer seeds are grown in separate trayswhile in the greenhouse. This is considered necessary due to thecultural practices required in the greenhouse to produce healthy andusable seedling plants for transplanting. Prior to the introduction ofSP-1 by Syngenta, the diploid seeded watermelon pollenizers then in usewould compete for light and space within the tray, thwarting the growthof the triploid seedless watermelon plants. In addition, the number ofgrowing days and nutritional requirements to produce a usable transplantis different for the triploid watermelon plants and the diploid seededpollenizers. For this reason, all pollenizers continue to be seeded intrays dedicated to the varieties and placed in the greenhouse separatefrom the seedless varieties and tray as this has always been the commonpractice.

In the field, watermelon pollenizers are planted in different ratioswhen planted with the triploid seedless watermelons to ensure thatviable pollen is available for the production of the seedless fruit.These ratios widely differ based on the varieties used, the number ofplants per acre, plant distance down the row and square feet occupiedper plant bed widths, as well as environmental factors during fieldproduction. They can be in ratios of 1 seedless plant to 1 pollenizerplant (1:1 ratio) and at times up to 5 seedless plants to 1 pollinatorplant (5:1 ratio). The most commonly used ratios are 2:1, 3:1 and 4:1seedless to seeded pollinator ratios.

These ratios of pollenizers planted greatly affect the commercialgreenhouse producer's profitability and efficiencies in transplantproduction. The trays dedicated to pollenizers take up valuable space inthe greenhouse and require different cultural practices within thegreenhouse in terms of irrigation and fertility management due todifferences in the number of growing days and sowing dates between theseedless and pollenizer varieties. Logistics is also compromised whenplacing and tagging the pollenizer trays to separate them from theseedless trays in the greenhouse. Pollenizer trays will occupy 20%-50 ofthe greenhouse space, compromising seedless quantities and assuming alarge % of the freight costs.

Commercial greenhouse producers make arrangements with growers fordelivery of triploid seedless and pollenizers at specific dates. Mostcommonly, the watermelon transplants are loaded and placed in rackedtrailers or boxes for delivery directly to the field location. Thisinvolves organized and well managed hand labor to ensure that thetriploid seedless trays and seeded pollenizer trays are clearlyseparated and marked prior to and during the loading operation destinedfor the grower's field.

Not only are greenhouse logistical costs compromised utilizing thecurrent process and methods but freight and shipping costs are affecteddue to the space required in the trailer or container for the pollenizertrays. Due to increasing fuel costs associated with delivery of thetrays to the field, it is estimated that for every acre of seedlessplants delivered to the grower, the additional weight for pollenizers is50 lbs on the trailer or container. This includes the weight of thetray, and the moist planting media. In addition, for every acre ofseedless delivered, pollenizer trays occupy an estimated 14 cubic feetof valuable and expensive space within the trailer or container.

Commercially, watermelon transplants are planted in fields by mechanicaltransplanting machines, hand labor or a combination of both methods. Thepollenizer plant must be planted and placed in the field occupying adedicated space and at the correct ratio and dispersion in the field toensure that pollen can be easily transferred utilizing bees to theseedless plants and female flowers to produce the seedless fruit. Formechanical transplanting, this involves specialized equipment setup anda dedicated laborer or effort dedicated to the placement of thepollenizer transplant in the correct position in the field. When usinghand labor for transplanting, it involves additional labor and theseparation of the crews to ensure the correct ratios are placed in thefield.

The introduction to the industry of the SP-1 enhanced watermelonpollenizers provided a unique planting sequence in the field thatfurther complicated field transplanting methods and logistics for thegrower. SP-1 and other enhanced watermelon pollenizers do not competewith triploid seedless watermelon varieties for light, space ornutrition. This enabled growers to plant enhanced watermelon pollenizersin a non-dedicated space, i.e., interspersed within the same part of thefield as the triploid seedless variety. This change created logisticsproblems in the field and increased costs associated with thetransplantation of watermelon seedlings to the field. For example,transplanting by hand labor requires additional costs associated withthe dedicated labor to transplant the enhanced watermelon pollenizerplants in between the seedless plants. This additional cost to thegrowers is an estimated $50-$60 per acre of seedless watermelons fortransplanting enhanced watermelon pollenizers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention includes a method for mechanically sowing or seeding anenhanced watermelon pollenizer, such as for example SP-1, in the sametray with a triploid seedless watermelon variety.

In one embodiment, the seeds of the triploid seedless watermelon varietyand the seeds of the enhanced watermelon pollenizer will be sown in thesame tray by the same mechanical seeder, wherein the mechanical seederhas a first and second drum and said first drum contains the seed of thetriploid seedless watermelon variety and said second drum contains theseed of the enhanced watermelon pollenizer.

In another embodiment, the seeds of the triploid seedless watermelonvariety and the seeds of the enhanced watermelon pollenizer are sown inthe same tray by a first and second mechanical seeder, wherein saidfirst mechanical seeder contains the seed of the triploid seedlesswatermelon variety and said second mechanical seeder contains the seedof the enhanced watermelon pollenizer.

In another embodiment, the seeds of the triploid seedless watermelonvariety and the seeds of the enhanced watermelon pollenizer are sown inthe same tray as part of a single sowing step by a mechanical seeder,wherein said mechanical seeder contains the seed of the triploidseedless watermelon variety and the seed of the enhanced watermelonpollenizer, wherein the mechanical seeder selectively sows said triploidseed and said enhanced watermelon pollenizer seed in the cells of a trayin a particular pattern and ratio.

The ratio of the enhanced watermelon pollenizer seed placed or droppedinto the seedless tray could be any of the seedless/pollenizer ratioscommonly used in commercial production of seedless watermelon. Thedispersion and number of cells in the seedling tray are dependent on theseedless and/or the enhanced watermelon pollenizer used, ratio soughtafter, germination loss, vigor of seedlings and environment in which theseedlings will be grown

There are multiple advantages to the method of the invention. Forexample, from the standpoint of a greenhouse, the method of theinvention provides the following advantages:

-   -   Saves greenhouse space by 20% (4:1 pollinator ratio) or 25% (3:1        pollenizer ratio) per order (reduces input and material costs        and allows for more volume/space in the greenhouse)    -   Reduces seeding time by 20 to 25% per order (lower cost and        improved efficiency)    -   Reduces planting medium cost by 20 to 25% per order (lower cost        and less inventory to manage)    -   Reduces trays needed to cover order by 20 to 25% per order        (lower overhead (H2O, fertilizer and pesticide))    -   both seedless and pollenizer (higher return on space in        greenhouse)    -   Increased plant volume per delivery, thus maximizing freight        costs

For growers and customers who purchase the young plants and then mustplant them in the field, the method of the invention provides additionaladvantages, including:

-   -   Planting crews do not have to keep enhanced watermelon        pollenizer trays separate from triploid seedless watermelon        trays; ratios are pre-determined and pre-set.    -   Planting process is much easier as the enhanced watermelon        pollenizer trays are not separate (i.e. there is no confusion on        which trays contain enhanced watermelon pollenizers—planting        efficiency improved)    -   Planting process is less complicated (lowered requirement for        trained crews)    -   Fewer trays to transport to the field (improved efficiency &        maximizing freight costs to the higher value seedless)    -   Planting crews can increase speed or cover more acreage due to        fewer plugs being planted in the field (reduced transplanting        cost)    -   No dedicated crew for hand planting enhanced watermelon        pollenizer plants (reduced planting cost)

The use of mechanical seeders for planting seeds in trays is well knownin the art. Any mechanical seeder could be used in the method of theinvention. A few examples of well known seeders include the StewartBoots Seeder, offered for sale by SK Designs, Inc. of Ruskin, Fla.; theHamilton Drum Seeder offered by Hamilton Design, Ltd of the UK; theseeders offered by Williames Pty Ltd of Australia; and the Zeta DrumSeeders offered by Urbinati out of Spain. As aforementioned, any ofthese seeders as well as any other mechanical seeder could be used toperform the method of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 represents an example of a typical vacuum drum seeder outfittedwith two drums.

FIG. 2 represents an example of a typical seeding tray.

FIG. 3 represents an example of one seeding pattern that could beemployed in the method of the invention. Cells of the tray that containboth a triploid seedless watermelon variety seed and an enhancedwatermelon pollenizer seed are denoted by two plant icons, while cellsof the tray that contain only a triploid seedless watermelon varietyseed are denoted by one plant icon.

FIG. 4 represents a second example of one seeding pattern that could beemployed in the method of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

There are multiple types of mechanical seeders that are currently in usewithin the agricultural industry for the seeding of seedling trays.Examples of different types of seeders include vacuum drum seeders,cylinder seeders, needle seeders and plate seeders. Any type ofmechanical seeder can be used to practice the methods of the invention.The most common type of mechanical seeder used for seeding watermelonseeds are vacuum drum seeders.

Vacuum drum seeders are common in the agricultural industry and theirmechanism of operation is well known to any person of ordinary skill inthe art. Vacuum drum seeders generally comprise a mounted cylindricalseeding drum that is able to rotate on its axis, wherein the cylindricalseeding drum contains multiple openings on its surface. The cylindricalseeding drum is coupled with a means for supplying a vacuum such thatthe openings on the surface of the cylindrical seeding drum are capableof holding seeds there-against in a pre-determined seeding pattern whena vacuum is applied. The pre-determined seeding pattern can be changedeither by switching the cylindrical seeding drum for another cylindricalseeding drum bearing a different pattern, or by any means which couldblock the adhesion of a seed to any particular opening. Any pattern thatwould prove useful for the particular seeding application at hand may beemployed. Different cylindrical seeding drums may also contain differentsized openings for use with smaller or larger seeds, depending upon theimmediate need.

Vacuum drum seeders also normally contain a dibbling apparatus forforming a pre-determined pattern of planting holes in the plantingmaterial contained within the cells of a seeding tray to receive seedsfrom the cylindrical seeding drum. The dibbling apparatus is alsomounted so as to rotate. The pre-determined pattern and planting holesize may be interchanged as with the pre-determined pattern on thecylindrical seeding drum for the appropriate seedling tray design andnumber of cells in the tray.

Additionally, the vacuum drum seeders generally contain a seed hopperwhich is adapted to hold seeds in surface to surface contact with thecylindrical seeding drum so that the openings may pick up seeds when avacuum is applied to the cylindrical seeding drum.

Finally, vacuum drum seeders also normally include a conveyor feed formoving the seeding trays beneath the dibbling apparatus and subsequentlybeneath the cylindrical seeding drum. The rotary dibbler is used to rollover the seeding trays containing a planting medium suitable for growingseedlings. The tray is then carried along on the conveyor to have seedsdeposited by the cylindrical seeding drum into the pre-formed holes madeby the dibbling apparatus. The rotary motion of the dibbling apparatusand cylindrical seeding drum allow continuous operation to providesmooth operation.

While the conventional configuration for vacuum drum seeders includesonly one cylindrical seeding drum, it is known in the art to provide avacuum drum seeder with two cylindrical seeding drums.

FIG. 1 is a representation of a standard vacuum drum seeder.

Not all vacuum drum seeders known in the industry will be identical tothe above description, however, any person of skill in the art wouldrecognize that the above example typifies the functionality of a vacuumdrum seeder and that any vacuum drum seeder used in the agriculturalindustry would function in the methods of the invention.

In general, the method of the invention may be practiced by any vacuumdrum seeder used in the industry as well as any other type of mechanicalseeder known in the industry. The method of the invention contemplatesboth a vacuum seeder with two cylindrical seeding drums as well as twoseparate vacuum drum seeders or two mechanical seeders of any typeutilized in serial. If two mechanical seeders or two vacuum drum seedersare utilized, the first mechanical seeder or first vacuum seeder plantseither the triploid seedless watermelon seeds or the enhanced watermelonpollenizer seeds in the cells of the seeding tray according to thepre-determined seeding pattern and the second mechanical seeder orsecond vacuum seeder plants the other type of seeds in the cells of theseeding tray according to the pre-determined seeding pattern. It is alsopossible to use one mechanical seeder to seed the seedling traysinitially with one type of seed, and then change the type of drum head,seedling plates and/or the seed hopper and pass the seeding traysthrough a second time to seed the second type of seed. Additionally, itwould also be possible to develop a new or program an existingmechanical seeder that is capable of dispensing both triploid seedlesswatermelon seed and enhanced watermelon pollenizer seed. In such anembodiment, the mechanical seeder would contain the seed of the triploidseedless watermelon variety and the seed of the enhanced watermelonpollenizer, and the mechanical seeder would selectively sow the triploidseedless watermelon seed and the enhanced watermelon pollenizer seed inthe wells of a tray in a particular pattern and ratio.

The seedling trays contemplated by the method of the invention are wellknown to anyone of ordinary skill in the art, as well as to any personwho has every purchased small plants at their local nursery. Theseedling trays contemplated by the method of the invention are thestandard, pre-formed trays used in nearly all areas of agriculture forsprouting seeds to the seedling stage and may be any seedling tray thatis common in the agricultural industry. The number and size of the cellswithin seedling trays varies widely depending upon the application. Themost commonly used seedling trays for the planting of watermelon seedscontain 98, 128 or 162 cells, however, a seedling tray with any numberof cells may be used. FIG. 2 is a representation of a standard seedlingtray. This seeding tray has 128 cells.

The planting material used within the seedling trays can be any suitableplanting material.

The placement pattern of triploid seedless watermelon seeds and enhancedwatermelon pollenizer seeds in the seedling trays by the mechanicalseeder can be any pattern which maintains the desired ratio ofpollenizer seed to triploid seed and distributes the pollenizer seedsevenly throughout the seedling tray. The preferred method of theinvention includes seeding each cell in the tray with the triploid seedand then seeding the pollenizer seed second, dispersing the pollenizerseed out within the seedling tray according to the preferred,pre-determined pattern.

The pattern used to determine the cells in which the enhanced watermelonpollenizer is seeded can be based on any methodology that results in adispersal of the enhanced watermelon pollenizer watermelon seed amongthe triploid seedless watermelon seeds. For example, the preferredseeding pattern for the enhanced watermelon pollenizer watermelon seedcould be in every 2^(nd) cell, every 3^(rd) cell, every 4^(th) cell orevery 5^(th) cell.

Typical seedling trays are rectangular in shape and will have along-side and a short-side. Another example of a pre-determined patternwould be to provide 3, 4, 5 or 6 enhanced watermelon pollenizer seeds ineach long-sided row of each seedling tray. Alternatively, the enhancedwatermelon pollenizer watermelon seeds could be spread out in differingnumbers per long-sided row. For example, if the seedling tray contains 8long-sided rows, the dedicated watermelon pollenizers could be dispersedby alternating between 4 and 5 enhanced watermelon pollenizer watermelonseeds per row. FIGS. 3 and 4 provide examples of possible enhancedwatermelon pollenizer seed dispersal within a 128 cell seeding tray.

There are an infinite number of possibilities for the dispersal of theenhanced watermelon pollenizer seeds within the seedling tray. The abovedispersal patterns are provided only as examples and are in no wayexhaustive of the possibilities for dispersal of the enhanced watermelonpollenizer watermelon seeds within a seedling tray. The only requirementfor the number and dispersal of enhanced watermelon pollenizerwatermelon seeds within a seeding tray is that there is a sufficientratio of enhanced watermelon pollenizer watermelon seeds to triploidwatermelon seeds. A sufficient ratio is a ratio that would allow foradequate dispersal of the pollen from the enhanced watermelon pollenizerplants among the triploid seedless watermelon plants when the plants aretransplanted to the field. A person of ordinary skill in the art wouldrecognize that this ratio can vary depending upon the type of enhancedwatermelon pollenizer used, the type of triploid seedless watermelonused and the environmental conditions present in the field. An exampleof possible triploid seedless watermelon seed to enhanced watermelonpollenizer watermelon seed ratios would be 1:1 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 5:1, 6:1,and possibly higher ratios under certain circumstances.

It is also contemplated by the method of the invention that errorsduring the mechanical seeding of the seedling trays could result due tomalfunction of the seeding equipment. Should this occur, it iscontemplated by the method that some cells of the seedling tray may needto be seeded by hand to ensure that a proper seedling yield anddispersal is achieved.

Due to the characteristics of enhanced watermelon pollenizers, they areable to be planted within the same tray as triploid seedless watermelonvarieties as described above. This is because enhanced watermelonpollenizers have a significantly reduced impact on the growth of thetriploid seedless watermelon varieties as compared to past diploidpollenizers, which competed for light, space and nutrients with thetriploid seedless watermelon varieties.

The preferred embodiment of the invention contemplates that the enhancedwatermelon pollenizer is the enhanced watermelon pollenizer SP-1 offeredby Syngenta, or derivatives thereof, such as SP-4. However, any enhancedwatermelon pollenizer may be used. An enhanced watermelon pollenizer, ascontemplated by the method of the invention, is a watermelon plant thathas been bred to display certain characteristics that (1) reduce itsability to interfere and compete with the growth of triploid seedlesswatermelon plants, both in the tray and in the field, (2) enhance itsability to pollenize female flowers of said triploid seedless watermelonplants, said pollenization resulting in triploid seedless fruit with adistinct phenotype. Examples of such characteristics include smallleaves, deeply lobed leaves, lacy vines, small fruit, fruit with abrittle rind, an increased number of male flowers and a longer floweringperiod. It is not essential for an enhanced pollenizer to contain all ofthese characteristics. Examples of enhanced pollenizers that containsome of the above characteristics include Sidekick, offered by HarrisMoran and Patron, offered by Zeraim Gedara.

In a first preferred embodiment of the invention, a method of sowingwatermelon seeds is provided, comprising the steps of (1) providing amechanical seeder; and (2) using said mechanical seeder to seed aseedling tray with triploid seedless watermelon seed and enhancedwatermelon pollenizer seed.

In a further embodiment, the triploid seedless watermelon seed isplanted in each cell of the seedling tray.

In another embodiment, the enhanced watermelon pollenizer seed isplanted into every 2^(nd), 3^(rd) or 4^(th) cell of the seedling tray.

In another embodiment, the ratio of triploid seedless watermelon seedsto enhanced watermelon pollenizer seeds is 6:1, 5:1, 4:1, 3:1 or 2:1.

In another embodiment, the enhanced watermelon pollenizer seeds areseeds of watermelon pollenizer SP-1 or derivatives thereof

In another embodiment, the enhanced watermelon pollenizer seeds areseeds of watermelon pollenizer Sidekick.

In another embodiment, the mechanical seeder provided in the method is avacuum drum seeder.

In a further embodiment, the provided vacuum drum seeder comprises twocylindrical seeding drums, wherein one drum seeds the seedling tray withtriploid seedless watermelon seed and the other drum seeds the seedlingtray with enhanced watermelon pollenizer seed.

In a second preferred embodiment of the invention, a method of sowingwatermelon seeds is provided, comprising the steps of (1) providing afirst mechanical seeder; (2) providing a second mechanical seeder; and(3) using said first mechanical seeder to seed a seedling tray witheither triploid seedless watermelon seed or enhanced watermelonpollenizer seed and using said second mechanical seeder to seed withwhichever type of seed was not seeded by said first mechanical seeder.

In a further embodiment, the triploid seedless watermelon seed isplanted in each cell of the seeding tray.

In another embodiment, the enhanced watermelon pollenizer seed isplanted into every 2^(nd), 3^(rd) or 4^(th) cell of the seeding tray.

In another embodiment, the ratio of triploid seedless watermelon seedsto enhanced watermelon pollenizer seeds is 6:1, 5:1, 4:1, 3:1 or 2:1.

In another embodiment, the enhanced watermelon pollenizer seeds areseeds of watermelon pollenizer SP-1 or derivatives thereof.

In another embodiment, the enhanced watermelon pollenizer seeds areseeds of watermelon pollenizer Sidekick.

In another embodiment, the first mechanical seeder is selected from thegroup comprising: (1) a vacuum drum seeder; (2) a needle seeder; (3) aplate seeder; and (4) a cylinder seeder, and the second mechanicalseeder is selected from the group comprising: (1) a vacuum drum seeder;(2) a needle seeder; (3) a plate seeder; and (4) a cylinder seeder.

In a further embodiment, the first and second mechanical seeders are thesame type of mechanical seeder.

In another embodiment, the first and second mechanical seeders aredifferent types of mechanical seeders.

In a further embodiment, in any of the above embodiments, an additionalstep is performed wherein the accuracy of the mechanical seeder ormechanical seeders is inspected and any errors in seeding by themechanical seeder or mechanical seeders are corrected throughhand-sowing.

In another embodiment, the seeds of the triploid seedless watermelonvariety and the seeds of the enhanced watermelon pollenizer are sown inthe same seedling tray as part of a single sowing step by a mechanicalseeder, wherein said mechanical seeder contains the seed of the triploidseedless watermelon variety and the seed of the enhanced watermelonpollenizer, wherein the mechanical seeder selectively sows said triploidand said watermelon pollenizer into a the wells of a tray in aparticular pattern and ratio.

It should be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that theembodiments disclosed above and the methods for seeding and possiblepatterning and dispersal of seeds within the seedling trays representembodiments developed by the inventors to function well in the practiceof the method of the invention and thus can be considered to constitutepreferred modes for its practice. However, those of ordinary skill inthe art should, in light of the present disclosure, appreciate that manychanges can be made in the specific embodiments which are disclosed andstill obtain a like or similar result without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method of sowing watermelon seeds,comprising: a. providing a mechanical seeder; and b. using saidmechanical seeder to seed both triploid watermelon seed and enhancedwatermelon pollenizer seed in the same seedling tray.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the triploid watermelon seeds are seeded in each cellof the seedling tray.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the triploidwatermelon seeds and enhanced watermelon pollenizer seeds are planted ina sufficient ratio of enhanced watermelon pollenizer seeds to triploidwatermelon seeds.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the triploidwatermelon seeds and enhanced watermelon pollenizer seeds are planted ina ratio of 6:1, 5:1, 4:1, 3:1 or 2:1, triploid to pollenizer.
 5. Themethod of claim 4, wherein the vacuum drum seeder comprises twocylindrical seeding drums, wherein one drum seeds the seedling tray withtriploid seedless watermelon seed and the other drum seeds the seedlingtray with enhanced watermelon pollenizer seed.
 6. The method of claim 1,wherein the dedicated watermelon pollenizer seeds are planted in every2^(nd), every 3^(rd), every 4^(th) or every 5^(th) cell of the seedingtray.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the mechanical seeder is avacuum drum seeder.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the enhancedwatermelon pollenizer watermelon seeds are seeds of watermelonpollenizer plant SP-1.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the enhancedwatermelon pollenizer watermelon seeds are seeds of watermelonpollenizer plant Sidekick.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the seedsof the triploid seedless watermelon variety and the seeds of theenhanced watermelon pollenizer are sown in the same seedling tray aspart of a single sowing step by a mechanical seeder, wherein saidmechanical seeder contains the seed of the triploid seedless watermelonvariety and the seed of the enhanced watermelon pollenizer, and whereinsaid mechanical seeder selectively sows said triploid and saidwatermelon pollenizer into a the wells of a seedling tray in aparticular pattern and ratio.
 11. The method of claim 1, comprising thefurther step of assessing the accuracy of the mechanical seeder'splacement of the triploid watermelon seeds and the enhanced watermelonpollenizer watermelon seeds and correcting any errors throughhand-sowing.